Japan captured its third straight women's team table tennis Olympic medal Thursday as Mima Ito, Kasumi Ishikawa and Miu Hirano took silver following a 3-0 defeat to defending champion China at the Tokyo Games.
The Japanese were looking to complete a full set of Olympic medals in the event, having won silver at the 2012 London Games and bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Despite a promising start, they were no real match for the Chinese in the gold medal match at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
"The last match is over and we enjoyed ourselves. Of course, we wanted to win and it stings to lose but it was fun," Ito said.
China has won all four editions of both the men's and women's team event since it was introduced at the 2008 Beijing Games.
"It's frustrating but the Chinese showed how strong they are. I am happy that we were able to play in the final on this (Olympic) stage," said Ishikawa.
Ishikawa and Hirano seized the initiative and took the first game in the opening doubles, but their lead was soon wiped out as Chen Meng and Wang Manyu hit their stride, winning 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7.
Ito was unable to avenge her singles semifinal defeat to Sun Yingsha, going down 11-8, 11-5, 3-11, 11-3.
The Japanese were put out of their misery when Wang beat Hirano 11-5, 11-9, 11-3 in the third match.
"I was picked to play in two games in the final and it hurts that I wasn't able to win either," lamented Hirano. "But I have really enjoyed playing on this stage and I am thankful to many people."
Ito has been the standout player for Japan at these games, winning three medals, including the first Olympic gold in the sport for the host nation.
The 20-year-old partnered 32-year-old Jun Mizutani to a stunning victory over China in the mixed doubles final and also became the first Japanese woman to win a singles medal, taking the bronze.
Hong Kong beat Germany 3-1 for the women's team bronze medal earlier in the day.
Mizutani, Koki Niwa and Tomokazu Harimoto play South Korea in the men's team bronze medal match on Friday.
Related coverage:
Olympics: Japan ousted by Germany in table tennis men's team semis
Olympics: Japan's Mima Ito adds bronze to mixed table tennis doubles gold
Olympics: Japan's table tennis teen star Harimoto makes surprise Tokyo exit
